Welcome to the blog for the Lion Brand Yarn Studio -- a unique retail store in New York City! Keep up with our in-store events, the products we offer at the Studio, and even special Studio sales!
Enjoy the warmth of our yarn ball sun, and come meet the newest Lion Brand Yarn Studio Lion. We haven’t named him yet. Take a look at his adorable face and let us know what his name should be.
Since here at the Lion Brand Yarn Studio, we believe the sun rises and sets on yarncrafting, what better way to represent our sun, but with a giant ball of yarn, complete with knitting needles.
Let us keep you busy as a bee this spring with new classes, projects and fun. Come see us soon!
Yarns used in March Window
Plants/Grass :
Alpine Wool - Olive
Fishermen’s Wool - Maple Tweed, Nature’s Brown
Lion Wool - Lemongrass, Sage, Fern, Cocoa
Lion Brand Yarn Studio
34 W. 15th Street
New York, NY 10011
Master Classes aren’t classes FOR masters, they are classes WITH masters! Don’t miss out on your opportunity to work with these amazing designers.
We have a great line up of Master Classes for you. We are thrilled to bring you the best teachers from all over the world.
Currently on sale - call 212-243-9070 to reserve your spot:
Debby Ware takes you through an entire sweater from cast on to cast off in one day . . . a baby sweater!
Debby Ware Baby Sweater - Make a Cardigan in a DAY!
Learn how to create your own one of a kind baby cardigan sweater in this all day workshop with well known author and designer Debby Ware.
Debby will show you the many choices you have and the many easy embellishment techniques that you can use to design your own sweater for any baby or toddler you may know. Ruffles, pockets, i-cords, perfect pom poms, unusual edgings, duplicate stitching and more will be taught. You will discover you can use these techniques in all your knitting projects - not just for babies!
If you’ve never knit a sweater, learn the basics of sweater construction and more in this wonderful workshop.
In this class, students will learn the fun of working double sided crochet stitches. Some call these stitches the padded, or reversible stitches. They are very heavily textured stitches, great for making bags, hats, afghans, pillows, pot holders, etc. Students will learn the technique and as many individual stitches as time allows.
Our system is automated, so do not alter the subject line in any way, or your RSVP will not be processed.
In the body of the e-mail, please list your:
Name
Phone number
E-mail address
Number of people attending
We are collecting RSVPs to give us an estimated head count. You will not receive a confirmation e-mail, however if we are all full up you will get a wait list e-mail.
Again, to RSVP, please e-mail us with the information requested above.
Jiffy is March’s Featured Yarn. Each month we feature a different yarn & we pair it with free crochet and knit patterns. You will receive 15% off that yarn all month! *
Jiffy is a quick and easy to work with yarn. It’s a velvety soft, 2 ply brushed 100% acrylic that looks like mohair.
For the whole month of March receive 15% off of all Jiffy. We are pleased to offer the following patterns:
What’s great about having such a diverse and talented bunch of folks working at the Studio, is we all have our own specialties. We thought we’d take a moment to talk about some of our favorite knit and crochet projects:
When I first started knitting sweaters, I just tried to pick the size that fit me the best and followed the pattern word for word. Little by little I got brave enough to start adapting sweaters to fit me better . . . maybe I’ll make the sleeves longer, maybe I’ll try making the body longer. Eventually I started experimenting even more, adding side shaping, changing a neckline etc. This sparked my interest in sweater design. Now I still use patterns, but I throw out everything that doesn’t suit me and use only what I like. In my Design Your Own Sweater workshop I teach how you can use your key body measurements (and a little math) to get your perfect fit. Pictured is the Short & Chic Cardi, I used double stranded Nature’s Choice Organic Cotton, changed the length of the body & changed the width of the ribbing.
Magic Loop - Will
Pattern: Will’s own design
Yarn: Sock-Ease ; color: Taffy
Studio Class: Socks on Magic Loop
When I first learned to make socks my aunt taught me with double pointed needles and I really struggled with it. After hours of trying I finally decided that socks just weren’t for me. Several years later while working in a yarn store a fellow yarnoholic showed me the magic loop technique. I couldn’t believe how easy it looked! That night I went home and started a sock that was to become the first in a successfully completed pair. I have since become comfortable with dpns, but more often than not I use magic loop because I love it so much.
Cables – Michelle
Pattern: Habitat by Jared Flood
Yarn: Wool-Ease ; color: Zinnia
Studio Class: Intro to Cables
Pattern: Flourish Vest, Knit Scene, Fall 2009
Yarn: Wool-Ease ; color: Loden
Studio Class: Intro to Cables, or Sweater School
Even before I was a knitter, I loved the look of cables in knitting. The beautiful twisting braids and intricate knot-work fascinated me, but no matter how hard I stared I couldn’t seem to figure out how they were accomplished. Then I picked up a fingerless glove pattern with a climbing ivy design that I HAD to make. I followed the instructions line by line, and slowly the pattern came to life. I never imagined how easy it would be. Now I can’t go a couple of projects without doing some kind of cable pattern. I even learned to cable without a cable needle, and I never looked back!
Working in the Round - Claire
No Pattern
Yarn: Cotton-Ease ; color: Charcoal
Studio Class: Intro to Knitting in the Round
I honestly can’t remember the details of the first project I knit in the round, though I am sure it was a hat! Hats are the perfect intro to knitting in the round - not too big, you can use just one skein, and you can customize them to your heart’s delight! Over the years I have probably made at least a hundred hats for myself and others. Several Christmases in a row all my friends received multi-striped hats that were the result of me using up odds and ends, and now I’m working on spreading my love of berets! Of course knitting in the round is good for much more than hats. I’ve also used this technique to make mittens and socks, and over the summer I completed my first sweater in the round! I love that there is no pesky switching of needles, and if I need to stop in the middle of a row, I can just push the work down the needle and be on the way! I’m currently making a summer cowl for my trip to Stitches West!
In the design process, whether it be a formal dress, a blouse, or a fitted jacket-I usually incorporate lace somewhere on the garment. I love how elegant and feminine lace is.
The pattern of spaces are just as important as the solid areas and the complimentary effect is awesome! Currently, I am working on a custom made blouse as well as a lace wrap using Lion Brand Superwash Merino. Last year I made Patty a lace scarf, once again using the Superwash Merino yarn and she loved it!
I had been knitting yards of scarves from age 5 until age 14, when I was awestruck by an issue of Vogue Knitting in a bookstore featuring some stunning Fair Isle patterns. Inspired by the intricacy and interesting combinations of color that I saw, I dove headfirst into the creation of my first Fair Isle project. Mistake Number 1: it was a flat scarf Fair Isle pattern (I have since mastered Fair Isle Flat, but it takes twice as much concentration!) and Mistake Number 2: I attempted 6 colors in my first project when 2 would have been much more manageable! The scarf turned out hideous, and it was so tight across the back that the Fair Isle design was warped beyond recognition. I did not give up, however, and to this day Fair Isle is my favorite technique to work with. Currently, I am working on a Fair Isle banded cardigan, which while knit in one piece, the Fair Isle is done flat…which is now a much more fun challenge for me!
Twisted German Cast on Mittens - Celia
No pattern
Yarn: Amazing ; color: Arcadia
Studio Class: My First Mittens
While I enjoy working on challenging projects with lots of charts and precise planning, I also like to have a simpler, portable piece to knit during subway rides and other spare moments throughout the day. I whipped up these mittens (in Lion Brand’s new "Amazing" yarn) late last week to ward off the chill from NYC’s latest cold snap. I used the Twisted German Cast-On for the cuffs, which is a nice, stretchy variation of the Long-Tail Cast-On…it’s fun to do and is a technique I use often!
Illusion Knitting - Gina
(Looks like plain stripes.)
(The secret picture hidden in the stripes!)
Pattern: Dark Mark Illusion Scarf
Yarn: Wool-Ease ; colors: Black & Blue Heather
Studio Class: Beginning Knitting (Really! It’s just knits and purls)
I’ve been a hard-core crocheter since I was five, but I’ve always had an on-again, off-again relationship with knitting. When I picked it back up as an adult, I wanted to make something that was unique yet simple, and so a friend recommended illusion knitting for scarves. It’s a very simple technique - uses only knits and purls - and creates a hidden design that only pops out when you hold the garment at a certain angle. I started looking for patterns online and settled on a Dark Mark design (Harry Potter geek and proud of it), then whipped one up. It wasn’t the best-looking thing - my knitting skills have vastly improved since then - but the illusion looked so cool I’ve loved it and the technique ever since.
On The Go Knitting – Kendra
Pattern: Cabled Lace Scarf
Yarn: Cotton-Ease ; color: Maize
Studio Class: Intro to Cables
I moved to New York from California, where getting around means driving and a complete waste of transit knitting time as far as I’m concerned! Now living in New York, my favorite thing is to utilize any bit of my commuting time by knitting & crocheting, so projects that can be moved from purse to purse are my favorite type of knitting. For me, this means projects on circular needles or double-points that fit nicely in a small bag (like the Go Knit Pouch pictured above) – lots of mittens, scarves, beverage cozies and socks. We all know the irritation of an express train running local or a sick passenger announcement, but for me I just think, “Great, more knitting time!”
Cowls and Fair Isle – Vanessa
No pattern
Yarn: LB Collection Baby Alpaca ; colors: Natural & Silver Grey Heather
Studio Class: Intro to Knitting in the Round, and Intro to Fair Isle
I discovered cowls a couple years ago as a fun and simple alternative to scarves. I liked how they are so much more compact then scarves - they are just as warm without the long, dangly ends. They are also generally worked up much faster and give you a chance to try out new stitches and yarns without feeling obligated to finish a large project. I’ve started putting my textile design experience to good use and designing fair isles to incorporate into cowls. I love being able to design little motifs and use several colors in one piece, and cowls are a perfect place to use color work!
From the initial spark of inspiration to the sewing of the last seam, Shirley Paden will guide you through the knitwear design process in the new Knitwear Design Workshop . Based on successful workshops Paden teaches to the fashion industry in New York, Knitwear Design Workshop finally gives you the foundation to take your knitwear designs to the next level with confidence.
A prolific knitwear designer, Shirley Paden’s impressive work serves as a concrete example to identify the right yarn for particular garment design and pattern stitches, and to knit a perfect fit. Instructions for five new projects designed by Paden will further demonstrate how the techniques learned can translate into one-of-a-kind garments.
Shirley is teaching her much coveted Sweater Design Master Class on Sunday, March 7th at 11:00 am. Space is limited. Call 212-243-9070 to book your spot.
If you have a question for Shirley, please e-mail it when you RSVP!
If you are unable to get into the event, you can still pre-order your book to be signed. Shirley will sign it at the event, and you will be able to pick up your signed book starting, Friday, March 5th.
Just e-mail studio@lionbrand.com with your credit card & exact text of your autograph request.
HOW TO RSVP:
We will accept RSVPs starting Feb. 17th. Please only RSVP if you are sure you can attend.
This event is expected to fill up fast. To RSVP, please e-mail by clicking the link below:
* Your entrance ticket will be sent to whatever e-mail address you use to RSVP. Our system is automated, so do not alter the subject line in any way, or your RSVP will not be processed.
In the body of the e-mail, please list your:
Full Name (first and last name)
Phone number
Number of people attending (due to popularity of the event, limit 2 people per RSVP)
You will NOT receive an e-mail confirmation of your reservation request. You will however either get:
If it’s full (after 100 reservations): an e-mail letting you know you are on the wait list
If you got in: an e-mail entrance ticket sent out 48 hours before the event.
This event is strictly first come first served. We open the doors at 5:30 pm and the first 60 people will get a seat, then we go to standing room.
RSVP e-mails received before Feb. 17th. will NOT be accepted.
* Your entrance ticket will be sent to whatever e-mail address you use to RSVP. Our system is automated, so do not alter the subject line in any way, or your RSVP will not be processed.
In the body of the e-mail, please list your:
Full Name (first and last name)
Phone number
Number of people attending (due to popularity of the event, limit 2 people per RSVP)
You will NOT receive an e-mail confirmation of your reservation request. You will however either get:
If it’s full (after 60 reservations): an e-mail letting you know you are on the wait list
If you got in: an e-mail entrance ticket sent out 48 hours before the event.
RSVP e-mails received before Feb. 17th will NOT be accepted.
Many of you may have noticed that our own Claire is very rarely seen without a beret on her head. It’s kind of her thing. Since the Lion Brand Yarn Studio has opened she has knit 12 berets in 11 different kinds of Lion Brand Yarn (there are two in the LB Collection Cotton Bamboo ).
Claire loves free patterns. On LionBrand.com you will find free patterns for 28 berets including the Glitterspun Beret # 50617 that Claire made from Vanna’s Glamour , and the Lacy Leaf Beret #866 that is up next on her needles. In addition, the internet is full of free patterns. Just put in the name of the pattern into Google to find it!
Here’s a little slide show of Claire’s beret collection. They are knit and crocheted in:
Amazing (color: Arcadia)
Tweedy Tam by Lydia McNeil
Cotton-Ease (color: Cherry)
Sneaky Snakes by Marte Fagervik
Homespun (color: Plum)
One Day Beret by Kirsten Kapur
Two fantastic weeks, two fantastic master classes, two FANTASTIC teachers!
Last week we were thrilled to have Melissa Leapman teach Colorful Cables & Mosiac Knitting. Melissa is the author of many books including Continuous Cables (now onsale at the Studio), Cables Untangled , and many more.
We had a full class on a chilly Sunday morning to learn these wonderful ways to incorporate color into knitting.
A close up of two color cables in progress
Melissa brought these amazing swatches to inspire!
Last Sunday our customers got a double treat. They were the first on hand to see Prudence Mapstone ’s amazing new fiber art piece installed on our gallery wall, AND got to take a master class with the freeform master herself!
Twenty people let hooks, needles, yarn, and their imagination fly, to create a series of amazing Scrumbles. (Click here if you are wondering what a scrumble is)
Since free form can be art or wearable art, Prudence also brought in some stunning samples for us to ooh and ah over!
Lion Brand Yarn Studio
34 W. 15th Street
New York, NY 10011
Master Classes aren’t classes FOR masters, they are classes WITH masters! Don’t miss out on your opportunity to work with these amazing designers.
We have a great line up of Master Classes for you. We are thrilled to bring you the best teachers from all over the world.
Currently on sale - call 212-243-9070 to reserve your spot:
Shirley Paden will take you through all the steps of sweater design in this intensive all day workshop based on her much anticipated Sweater Design Book.
Shirley Paden Sweater Design
In this class students will learn to custom-make their own sweater patterns. They will work through organizing the components involved in constructing two different types of pullovers with a round neckline. The first is the Classic Body silhouette that is based on the bust measurements. It is worked straight to the armholes, then, the armholes and neckline are shaped. The second is the Double Tapered Body silhouette. This sweater type is shaped along the natural curves of the body to the armholes, then, the armholes and neckline are shaped. Both pullover types will be planned with set-in sleeves. Students will be walked through accurately measuring a swatch, taking body measurements, writing a pattern, and calculating yarn amounts. Measuring a garment will also be reviewed.
Sunday March 7 11:00 - 5:00 pm
Save the Date - Going on sale on March. 1st
Debby Ware takes you through an entire sweater from cast on to cast off in one day . . . a baby sweater!
Debby Ware Baby Sweater
Learn how to create your own one of a kind baby cardigan sweater in this all day workshop with well known author and designer Debby Ware.
Debby will show you the many choices you have and the many easy embellishment techniques that you can use to design your own sweater for any baby or toddler you may know. Ruffles, pockets, i-cords, perfect pom poms, unusual edgings, duplicate stitching and more will be taught. You will discover you can use these techniques in all your knitting projects - not just for babies!
If you’ve never knit a sweater, learn the basics of sweater construction and more in this wonderful workshop.
